Springfield-based Youth Arts Ambassadors participate in virtual theater festival

The Youth Arts Ambassadors rehearse at the John Legend Theater for their presentation of "The Music Man" to present to the national iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival this weekend. Contributed photo

Credit: Submitted Photo

Credit: Submitted Photo

The Youth Arts Ambassadors rehearse at the John Legend Theater for their presentation of "The Music Man" to present to the national iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival this weekend. Contributed photo

The pandemic will keep them from traveling, but it won’t stop the Youth Arts Ambassadors from continuing to make their mark among peers from across the country and growing as artists at one of the most prestigious performing arts events of its type this weekend.

About 30 members of the Springfield Arts Council-sponsored group are participating in the virtual version of the iTheatrics Junior Theater Festival, today through Sunday. For the past two years, the Ambassadors have traveled to the festival in Atlanta where they learned from top teachers and Broadway performers and displayed their talent.

Although their travel will be limited to the Springfield Family YMCA where they will be socially-distanced for some activities, the enthusiasm is there even for the virtual version.

“They’re trying to make it as close to in-person as possible,” said Arts Council Art Education Director Krissy Brown.

Going virtual will have its advantages. For instance, with Broadway theaters still dark, it leaves performers and creative people free, and cast members of “Hamilton” are able to lead a dance workshop. Another highlight is a diversity and inclusion in theater workshop.

The Ambassadors first went to iTheatrics two years ago and unexpectedly earned an Excellence in Acting Award and individual honors. In 2020, Brown and several students received individual awards.

In 2021, they are intent on keeping the YAA brand in the spotlight.

As participants are required to present a 10-15-minute performance of a previous show they’d done, the Ambassadors spent part of December recording a version of “The Music Man, Jr.” at the John Legend Theater for the event.

Last year they did “Frozen, Jr.” as several other groups did Disney-related shows. This older musical could be fresh.

“We try to find ways our group is relevant and evolving and get tips to continue to evolve,” Brown said.

The experience and knowledge the Ambassadors gain will be reflected in future performances and projects.

Although in-person performances have been scarce as the pandemic persists, the Ambassadors found a successful alternative in virtual shows. They are currently rehearsing for a virtual version of “High School Musical, Jr.”

This will be another new experience as Brown said the group is filming it at Kenton Ridge High School, where they won’t be limited to a stage, but will perform in the school’s cafeteria, gym and other locations, making it a different experience.

She credits the popular trend of live television musicals for doing it this way, calling it a fun challenge.

As for beyond that, the group will see how things go, hoping to return to in-person live performances.

Check the Youth Arts Ambassadors Facebook page for information on when “High School Musical, Jr.” will be available.

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